Warrants have been issued for the arrest of two individuals police believe were involved in running from deputies early Monday morning during a traffic stop.
According to reports, Johnson County deputies received a report of a vehicle traveling slowly in the Swamp Branch area with its headlights off. The vehicle -- a black 2000 Oldsmobile -- was later discovered speeding on U.S. 460. Deputy Byron Fairchild pulled the vehicle over and while conducting a field sobriety test on the driver, a passenger in the back seat of the vehicle jumped over into the front, driverís seat and took off.Ratliff questioned at Utilities hearing

Eric Ratliff, right, general manager, Paintsville Utilities, defended his job performance at an open personnel hearing held Wednesday at the Paintsville Recreation Center. Also pictured, from left, are City Attorney Jeff Baldwin, Mayor Bob Porter and court reporter Deborah Stanley.

Continued employment rests in Mayor Porterís hands

By Kathy J. Prater
Associate Editor

Named general manager of Paintsville Utilities in 2012, Eric Ratliff said during an open personnel pre-termination hearing Wednesday that his job performance since his hire has resulted in the overall improvement of the utilities company. Ratliff was stating his opinion in an effort to retain his job as general manager with the utilities company.
Ratliff appeared at the hearing, represented by Atty. Chad Meredith, of Ransdell & Roach law firm, Lexington.Property taxes to increaseJudge rules recall petition invalid

By Kathy J. Prater
Associate Editor

County taxpayers will be paying more to the county school system this year, as determined by a ruling handed down Tuesday by Circuit Judge John David Preston.
In that ruling, Preston finds invalid a petition circulated publicly calling for a special election in regard to a tax increase voted upon by the Johnson County Board of Education on Sept. 22.Fire claims another Paintsville home

A home owned by Josh and Tammy Ball caught fire early Monday evening on 8th Street. This is the second Paintsville home that has caught on fire in less than one week.

By Kathy J. Prater
Associate Editor

Fire has struck another Paintsville home in less than a week.
The home of Josh and Tammy Ball, located on 8th Street, caught fire early Monday evening. Paintsville Fire Chief Rick Ratliff said his firefighters were alerted to the scene at approximately 7:38 p.m. and were on the scene four minutes later.
Ratliff said firefighters initially entered the home, which had flames coming from the roof upon their arrival, but had to retreat after encountering some inside obstacles.PPD search for Valu-Med vandal/burglarBy Kathy J. Prater
Associate Editor

The Paintsville Police Department is currently looking for information regarding an attempted break-in at Valu-Med Pharmacy.
Paintsville Police Chief Bill Holbrook said Thursday the lower portion of a glass entry door was busted out but no evidence existed that any individual had been able to gain illegal entry into the store.